Ferrari Academy Driver Rafael Camara secured a third Formula 2 pole position, joking that he is “50-50” on front-of-the-field starts.
Camara has seemingly returned to the form many saw last year in his title-winning F3 season. The Brazilian has been in the Championship top five since the season opener in Melbourne. Even featuring in the top three until a Feature Race gone wrong in Monaco momentarily derailed his momentum.
Despite this, Camara’s continued consistency throughout the year has allowed him to remain a title contender in his rookie season. When reflecting on his Silverstone achievement, the Ferrari driver pointed to his adaptability in the series’ tight turnarounds as his greatest strength.
“Yeah, I think I’ve always been good in a few laps,” Camara told media, including Motorsport Week.
“And I think especially F2, F3, free practice, you don’t have a lot of time. I think that for sure it helps a lot.”
So far this season, Camara has secured just one win, despite two pole positions. The Brazilian was running well during the Monaco Grand Prix, however, retired from the lead of the race following a near-miss with championship rival Nikola Tsolov.
The 21-year-old joked that whilst pole position makes drivers’ lives easier, they don’t guarantee race victory.
“Yes, definitely it is a good chance, starting from P1,” Camara stated.
“Of course, it makes your life easier.
“Monaco was not the case. 50-50 maybe, no? Maybe I’ll crash tomorrow or Sunday.”
Despite this, Camara explained that his main focus for the weekend is securing a significant points haul for the championship.
“No, joke aside. We’re just focusing race by race; we’ll see how it goes.
Make sure we prepare in a good way, that we are ready for every scenario, and hopefully we can get some good points.”
Formula 2 championship Battle hits halfway mark
As F2 enters the British GP weekend, the series also gets to its midway point in 2026. Marking a pivotal moment in the Championship standings. Currently, Gabriele Mini leads the championship by just two points over Nikola Tsolov. Behind them sits Camara, a mere 24 points behind Tsolov.
But in a weekend where a main championship contender finds themselves a long way ahead of their rivals, a swing in momentum could be on the cards.
This idea isn’; ‘t something that the Brazilian is shying away from; rather, he is embracing it heading into Sunday’s feature race. However, Camara remains realistic, highlighting the endless outcomes of the weekend.
“Yes, I mean, for sure it is a good thing. We beat behind the championship, so for sure it is good to start in front.”
“But like I said, in the races after, a lot of things can happen,” Camara explained.
“So it is nice to be on pole, nice to be ahead, but for sure we need to get the job done in quali, and we will see how it will be tomorrow and Sunday.”
When asked about his perspective on the title fight, the Invicta driver remained composed. Claiming his approach to race weekends doesn’t shift on whether or not he is in the fight for the championship. Instead, Camara is taking his season race by race, enjoying every moment of his time in the series.
“Yeah, I think every moment just focusing on race by race,” he explained.
“Just trying to see what we can maximise.
“As I said, obviously, tomorrow [Sprint Race] will be a bit tougher. Starting more in the back. But for sure, on Sunday we’re going to have good chances. And just trying to maximise where we can take it.
“But yeah, looking forward to both races.”
If Camara can continue his winning ways, capitalising in both races this weekend, the Brazilian may find himself shaking up the Championship standings ahead of the second half of the season.
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